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AJAX DOWNS, January 18, 2024 – The popular grey gelding SNOW MOOSE, one of Ajax Downs’ top Quarter Horses of 2023, was voted Canadian Champion at the American Quarter Horse Association’s annual Racing Champions Awards on January 17 at Heritage Place Sale Company in Oklahoma City OK.
Owned and bred by Milena Kwiecien of Burlington, ON, Snow Moose won five of nine starts as a 3-year-old last year including the QROOI Derby and the Ontario Bred Derby. The son of Seperate Interest – Favorite Pearl by Favorite Cartel was disqualified from two other victories including the $48,000 Alex Picov Championship in which he was placed third.
Snow Moose, trained by Jason Pascoe of Pontypool, earned $54,672 in 2023; four of his victories came with leading rider Brian Bell aboard another with jockey JB Botello.
“This is an honour, especially for a small breeder like myself,’ said Kwiecien at the awards ceremony. “This is very much a family affair. He owes his name to my Mom, who we call Moose. He was born on a cold, March day [March 6] and pulled out from his mare by myself and my sister [Anna Rosiak]. And my grandmother made our silks.”
There were 10 nominees from Ontario and Alberta for the Canadian Champion Award which is for the top Canadian foaled horse of a racing year and a panel of industry members throughout North America does the voting.
The Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario and Ajax Downs host its 2023 Awards Banquet to honour its champions on February 24, 2024 at the Ajax Convention Centre.
You can watch the entire AQHA Racing Champions Ceremony here.
To learn more about how to join the affordable First Line Racing Syndicate and enjoy owning a share in your first racehorse, contact the QROOI at:
